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Means of Grace IN-DEPTH Intensive Discipleship for the Serious Christian Lesson 2 Means of Grace “Means of grace” are spiritual disciplines or acts of devotion through which God channels His blessing. They are acts that will help us grow in our relationship with God and experience more of His favor. Just as a healthy new plant cannot flourish and grow without a constant source of sunlight and water, so it is with Christians. Some things are essential to your walk with Christ. But there are other things that, though not always essential for life, make a plant more healthy, radiant and fruitful — things like warmth, fertilizer, etc. The same is true for Christians. There are some spiritual disciplines that, when practiced consistently, will make you flourish. Ignoring them might not cause spiritual death (at least not immediately), but it will make you a lot less of what God has planned for you. Read Luke 13:6-9. This is a good illustration of what God expects of Christians. God is willing to supply the “fertilizer,” but if we continually refuse to grow or to take advantage of His channels of blessing, what will happen? (verse 9) So what are the means of grace that God has established for Christians? How does He speak to us and reach out to us? Through what means does the Holy Spirit communicate with our souls? Scripture The Word of God, the Bible, is God’s primary vehicle for imparting His grace to His people. It is through the Bible that you learn how to live, through the Bible that you get to know who God is and how He works, and through the Bible that you receive strength and comfort and direction for your life. What do these verses say about the inspiration of the Bible? Is it merely the words of men about God, or is it God’s word to men? 2 Peter 1:20-21 1 © 1996 by Patricia J. David IN-DEPTH Intensive Discipleship for the Serious Christian 2 Timothy 3:16a The first act of grace that God imparts through Scripture is saving grace. It is only through God’s Word that you can come to Christ in the first place. God’s Word reveals God’s plan, God’s Son, God’s Gospel. Write out these verses to remind you of the importance and power of God’s Word. Isaiah 55:10-11 Romans 1:16 Romans 10:17 1 Peter 1:23 God’s Word imparts not only saving grace, but also sustaining grace. His Word is what will keep you on the right path and sustain you through trials and temptations. Psalm 2 © 1996 by Patricia J. David IN-DEPTH Intensive Discipleship for the Serious Christian 119, the longest of the psalms, is an acrostic poem which opens our eyes to the importance and the wonder of the Word of God. The words law, precepts, ways, decrees, commands, word, statutes, and promise all refer to Scripture and what God has said in it. Read all of Psalm 119. What do these verses reveal about the benefits of reading and obeying Scripture? Psalm 119:11 Psalm 119:24 Psalm 119:28 Psalm 119:45 Psalm 119:66 Psalm 119:93 Psalm 119:98-99 Psalm 119:105 Psalm 119:111 Psalm 119:133 Psalm 119:171 Psalm 119:175 The New Testament also tells of the benefits of reading and obeying God’s Word. Read 2 Timothy 3:15-17. What is Scripture useful for and what benefit does it provide for us as believers? From what you’ve already read it should be obvious that reading the Bible isn’t an option for the Christian who is serious about growing — it is critical. It is a vital means of grace. But there are other reasons to read God’s Word than just for your own spiritual growth. What reasons do these verses give for reading and knowing God’s Word? 2 Corinthians 1:4 3 © 1996 by Patricia J. David IN-DEPTH Intensive Discipleship for the Serious Christian 2 Timothy 4:2-4 Ephesians 6:11-12, 17 If you are serious about serving God and want to become all that He wants you to be, you will read His Word. You will cherish it more than silver or gold (Psalm 19:10; Proverbs 2:4); you will desire it more than your daily bread (Job 23:12). You must determine in your heart to read it, study it and obey it. How often should you read your Bible? Joshua 1:8 Psalm 1:2 Psalm 119:97 Prayer In order to understand the significance of prayer as a means of grace, we need to look back to the Old Testament. God’s people, the Israelites, initially worshiped God in a portable sanctuary called the “tabernacle.” It was here that sacrifices were made for the atonement of their sins. But it was more than just a place to make atonement; it was also a place to meet with God. In the innermost room of the tabernacle (the “Holy of Holies” or the “Most Holy Place”) had been placed the “ark of the covenant,” a wooden box overlaid with gold that housed the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. On the top of this box were two golden cherubim which formed the “mercy seat” or “atonement cover” where the very presence of God dwelled. God’s presence was separated from the general populous by a thick veil or curtain. The High Priest alone was permitted to enter into the presence of God — but only once a year, and never without a sacrifice for his own sins and 4 © 1996 by Patricia J. David IN-DEPTH Intensive Discipleship for the Serious Christian for the sins of his people. In fact, there was such fear that the High Priest would be found unworthy that bells were tied around the bottom of his garment and a rope tied around his ankle so that, if the Lord should strike him dead, they would know (because the bells would stop ringing) and could pull him out by the rope. Read Mark 15:38. What happened when Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross that directly relates to the tabernacle (or the later temple)? ______________________________________ What is the significance of that event according to these verses? Hebrews 10:19-20 Ephesians 3:12 The good news of the Gospel is that the curtain that had so long divided God from His people has been removed, allowing us to go directly into God’s presence through prayer. It is through prayer that God’s grace is bestowed on us in special ways. What does the Bible say that prayer brings to us? Psalm 145:18-20a John 16:23-24 Philippians 4:6-7 James 5:16 It is important that we understand that prayer isn’t manipulating God to get what we want. We don’t go to Him with our “wish list,” but with a humble heart that wants to meet with God and know His heart. You see, prayer doesn’t necessarily change God’s mind, but it 5 © 1996 by Patricia J. David IN-DEPTH Intensive Discipleship for the Serious Christian does change us by purifying our motives, intensifying our desires and molding our will so it conforms to the will of God. Prayer is a time of intimate communion and conversation. What do these verses reveal concerning our attitude in prayer? 2 Chronicles 7:14 Psalm 139:23-24 Psalm 145:18 Matthew 6:5-8 1 Timothy 2:8 James 4:6, 8-10 Are there times when God doesn’t listen to our prayers or answer them? Psalm 66:18 Proverbs 21:13 Isaiah 1:15 Isaiah 59:1-2 6 © 1996 by Patricia J. David IN-DEPTH Intensive Discipleship for the Serious Christian James 4:3 1 Peter 3:7 One of the most important things you can do as a Christian is to develop a healthy, regular prayer life. It is difficult to have a relationship with anyone without talking to that person, and the same holds true with the Lord. When do these Scripture verses say you should pray? James 5:13 Psalm 5:3 Psalm 55:17 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Ephesians 6:18-20 Read the following prayers from the Psalms to help you understand how to pray and try praying these prayers yourself. Jot down some ideas about how these prayers are different and what their purposes are. Psalm 5:1-12 7 © 1996 by Patricia J. David IN-DEPTH Intensive Discipleship for the Serious Christian Psalm 35:1-28 Psalm 51:1-17 Psalm 139:1-24 Psalm 145:1-21 Christian Fellowship One means of grace that is far too often overlooked is fellowship with other Christians. God never intended for Christians to “go it alone.” What do these verses tell us about the importance of gathering together with other Christians? Hebrews 10:25 Acts 2:42-47 8 © 1996 by Patricia J. David IN-DEPTH Intensive Discipleship for the Serious Christian Hebrews 3:13 Ephesians 4:16 Ephesians 3:10 Matthew 18:20 Those who have given their lives to Christ are considered the “church,” which literally means the “called-out ones.” God’s people have been called out from the world into a new fellowship. Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. This passage doesn’t mean that we should never be around non-Christians. If that were true, we’d never have the opportunity to share the Gospel with unbelievers.
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